Wichita eagle., 1887-01-06
THE INTERSTATE BILL.

commanding so much attention through
out the country is up for discussion now il
the senate. The following is synopsis O.
the bill;
Section I defines the common carrier ol
carriers that shall be subject to the provis
ions of the act, as all railroads and bridges
and ferries used in operating them, tha
carry freight or passengers across state
boundaries or across the boundaries of thu
United States, and providing that the pro
visions of the act shall not apply to tn,
transportation of passengers or property
wholly within the boundaries of one STATE
or territory.
Section 2 prohibits drawbacks or specia
rates to individuals. No greater compcn
sation shall be charged or collected from
one person than is charged or collected
from another for like and cotemporane-
Gus service
Section 4 reiterates this prohibition aDC
applies it to any particular person, firm
corporation and locality, making the pro
hibition Of discrimination as broad as pos
sible
Section prohibits the charging of q
greater rate for shorter than for a Longer
distance, if the longer distance includes the
shorter, and the transportation is in the
same direction. There is a proviso that
this does not prohibit the charging Of as
much for q shorter than for longer dis
lance, and the commission may remit the
prohibition from time to time
Section prohibits pooling of freights
and passenger earning between different
and competing lines of railroads
Section provides that all common car
riers under the act shall print in type not
smaller than small plea and post in its of
fees all the rates, classifcations, schedules,
rules and regulations affecting rates, and
terminal charges, if there be any, a I'd
shall not demand or charge any more or
less than the rates so published and adver-
tised. No change in rates can be made ex-
cept upon ten days notice properly printed
and posted. All schedules, rates, classif-
cations, contracts, ETC., must be filed with
the commissioners. A failure to comply
with this provision is punished as for con
tempt and the commissioners are enioined
to proceed before the United States courts
to secure the proper punishment for vio-
lation Of the same
Section ! prohibits any contract, combi-
nation or agreement expressed or implied
to prevent the carriage of freights from
one point to another from being continuous
and prohibits adj breaks of bulk or stop
page under any pretext except it be nee
eSsary.
Section s provides for damages to per
sons firms or corporations, inflicted by
violations of the foregoing provisions, to-
gether with a reasonable attorneys fee for
collecting the same.
Section 9 gives the complainant discre-
ton to pursue his damages before the com
mission OF in any United States courts of
competent jurisdiction, but he cannot have
both remedies. The complainant may
summon as witness any officer or employe
of the compay complained of and no such
witness is excused from testifying on the
ground that he may crminate himself.
Section 10 provides that it shall be
for any officer receiver or
employee, to wilfully omit or fail to do
anything enjoined in the act or do any
thing prohibited, and he shall be subject to
a fine upon conviction Of United States
district court not 70 exceed S. 600.
Section II creates a commission of five
persons to be appointed by the president
and removed by him at will, for negligence,
no more than three of whom shall be mem
brrs of the same political party. No COM
missioner shall engage in any other voca-
ton or be in the employ of a railroad or
own stock in any road.
Section IL defines the authority of the
gives them access to books,
papers and accounts Of common carriers,
and makes it the duty of United States
circuit courts to enforce their subppnas in
case of cOntumacy.
Section 10 defines the manner in which |
against common carriers are to |
to be handled. The commissioners send |
copies of such complaints to the defendant |
and they must be answered within the |
ime specified. If the common carrier |
makes reparation for the in Jury complained |
Of within the specified time it is released |
from further liability. Otherwise the |
investigate the complaint in |
such manner as they may deem proper.
Sec. IA. The findings of the commission |
RS shall be reported and shall be prima !
'acie evidence in all future proceedings of /!
he facts in the case.
Section 10 provides that the commission
.rs, if they find that the complaint is well !
shall report such finding to the !
common carrier and give the same notice to |
iesist from such violation of law or make |
separation for injuries, and upon evidence !
hat such mandate has been complied with /
he common carrier is discharged from fur |
her liability
Section 6 provides that in case of the re
.usal of the common carrier to dcsist or /
make reparation it shall he the duty Of the /
commission TO take the complaint into the /
circuit court Of the United States, which /
hail hear it CT short notice The findings /
IF the facts by the commission shall be /
)rima facie evidence in such court The /.
decision of the court is final except the /
subject of the complaint shall exceed in |
falue s., GOO when an appeal may be had I
o the / nited States supreme court
Section l. provides that the commission !
rs may conduct the eases that come before /
hem in such manner as they see lit tor the /
proper dispatch of business. Investigations |
hall be public at the request Of either par |
:, and any party may come before it either |
n person or by attorney. Every vote and /
official act of the commission shall be of |
'ecord Any commissioner may admins
er oaths or atfirmations
Section Is provides that the salary of a /
shall be s. 800 and Of the |
secretary 50. 500 per anrum and other en-
oloyes shall be paid al the discretion Of the (
BOARD, subject to the approval of the sec
'etary of the interior. 1t provides them /
With offices and with contingent expenses. t
Section IS Iuakes the principal Office Of 1
he commission at Washington and al t
ows them to hold sessions whenever con
7enient
Section 90 provides for the rendering of /
annual reports of the commission similar. 10 /
L & IL